A First For Africa!
We are proud to announce that Cape Town has won the bid to host the IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel) Global Convention 2016!
It will be the IGLTA’s 33rd Annual Global Convention and it will be the first time the IGLTA hosts its premier educational and networking conference in Africa.
David Ryan (Founder & CEO of Rhino Africa and Out2Africa) is the South African Ambassador for the IGLTA. Working alongside the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, David led the successful Bid Committee (see below) that campaigned for this opportunity. The bid was supported by South African Tourism, The City of Cape Town, The Western Cape Government, Wesgro and SAA.
“Having attended IGLTA conventions in Toronto, Antwerp, Fort Lauderdale, Floripa and Chicago, we are immensely excited to be bringing the IGLTA Global Convention 2016 to the Mother City. It’s a huge milestone in that it will be the first IGLTA Global Convention to happen in Africa. South Africa continues to lead the way in LGBT rights in Africa and I hope that the legacy of the 2016 Convention will be to encourage tourism partners and businesses to lead the change in LGBT rights across the continent.”
– David Ryan
CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is an increasingly popular tourist destination. It’s no wonder for those of us who have visited the Mother City that it keeps nabbing awards for titles such as World Design Capital 2014 and one of the best cities in the world 2013, as voted by Travel and Leisure.
This cosmopolitan city has everything going for it and offers something for everyone – the jet-setters, nature lovers, adventure seekers, wine connoisseurs and foodies, beachlubbers, clubbers, shoppers, artists and creatives… It’s more than easy on the eye, with its stretches of white sand beaches and towering mountain peaks, Table Mountain being the most famous and an official New7Wonder of Nature. And then there’s the renowned Cape Winelands, a short drive away…
Cape Town received worldwide recognition as one of the South African cities that hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010, proving its ability to host such a large-scale international event. It is safe, has excellent infrastructure and public transport. And what’s more, it’s the unofficial “Gay Capital” of Africa. Here, gay culture is fully integrated and an accepted part of life in the city.
In fact, South Africa as a whole is a leading destination for LGBT travellers. It was, after all, the first country in the world to enact a constitutional ban against discrimination based on sexual orientation in 1996. It is the most progressive country on the continent for LGBT issues.
Hosting the convention in Africa would bring hope and inspiration to a continent that does not always enjoy the same freedoms that we take for granted.
“Cape Town is a world-class city – incredibly scenic and with a vibrant LGBT community. It has all the right ingredients to ensure a successful convention. Bringing the convention to Africa for the first time is an opportunity to grow our membership there and create greater understanding and awareness of the LGBT travel market on the continent.”
– Dan Melesurgo, IGLTA Board Chair
“We’re confident this event will set a new precedent for our destination, and we look forward to forging deeper connections with the committee and its partners moving forward.”
– Laura Saeger, Meeting and Convention Sales Manager of South African Tourism North America
THEME
The theme for 2016, “Spectrum”, symbolises the celebration of diversity. It links to the notion of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ – a nation diverse in culture, race, religion, ideologies and, of course, sexuality. While the focus is on Cape Town and South Africa, the intention is to shine a light that will emanate through Africa, eventually illuminating and emancipating those that do not enjoy the same freedoms.
ABOUT THE IGLTA
The IGLTA is the leading member-based global organisation dedicated to LGBT tourism, and a proud Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. The association represents LGBT and LGBT-friendly accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, and events, as well as the LGBT travel consumers they wish to serve.
The IGLTA’s next Annual Global Convention is set for Madrid, 8-10 May, 2014.
THE BID COMMITTEE
The committee is made up of prominent members of South Africa’s tourism industry, including:
- David Ryan (Rhino Africa Safaris)
- Jaco Ehlers (Singita)
- Willie Williams (Taj Hotel Cape Town)
- Billy Hare (Out2Africa)
- Andre Laget (Akilanga)
- Rudi Wagenaar (Inspirational Places)
- Alison Hunt (Inspirational Places)
- Ross Bowers (Rhino Africa Safaris)
INTERESTED IN JOINING IGLTA?
One perk to joining the IGLTA, among the many, is that IGLTA member hotels who are registered on the Expedia consumer platform are automatically induced as part of the Expedia Worldwide Gay Travel Store. Contact the IGLTA for more information.
Read more about the IGLTA in our Blogs: